Method and an apparatus for a port access system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a housing having a port adapted to receive a moveable first member and a moveable second member is configured to communicate with a tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/607,873 filed on Jun. 30, 2000.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to intravascular assemblies, andmore specifically to a port or implantable pump access system.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] Intravascular devices such as port access systems are generallyused for passing fluids between a device such as a syringe or a drip toor from body lumens such as veins or arteries, or other internal targetsites. Such an assembly usually includes a means for transferring fluidsto a needle such as a tube. The sharp tip of the needle is used forpiercing a body lumen so that access may be gained into the body lumenby the needle. Once the needle is located within the body lumen, theneedle is removed and discarded while the tube remains in the bodylumen.

[0006] Current port access systems involve insertion of a non-coringneedle or huber needle that is winged or the standard type of needleinto a port secured to a patient. Once the needle is inserted into thepatient, the wings of the port access system are taped down and used forinfusion of liquids. The needle is removed manually which sometimesresults in the needle inadvertently repuncturing the patient's skin orcauses an accidental needle stick to the healthcare worker. It isdesirable to have a port access system that allows infusion of liquidsinto a patient but also reduces the risk of an inadvertent needlepuncture to a healthcare worker or to the patient.

SUMMARY

[0007] An apparatus and a method are disclosed comprising a housinghaving a port adapted to receive a moveable first member. A moveablesecond member is configured to communicate with a tube. Additionalfeatures, embodiments, and benefits will be evident in view of thefigures and detailed description presented herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings,

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a port access system in which a moveable memberis in a first position in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

[0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a port access system in which the moveablemember advances from one position to another position in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a third moveable member in its deactivatedstate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a third moveable member in its activated statedin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 5 illustrates a shortened third moveable member in adeactivated state in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 illustrates a shortened third moveable member in itsactivated state in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a port in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 8 illustrates a port access system with a moveable member inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 9 illustrates a port access system in a first position inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 10 illustrates the port access system after the moveablemember has been activated to advance from one position to anotherposition in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

[0019]FIG. 11 illustrates a port access system after the syringe hasbeen depressed position in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A port access system is disclosed that includes a housing havinga port that is adapted to receive a moveable first member coupled to amoveable second member. The moveable second member is configured tocommunicate with a tube.

[0021] The port access system described herein offers severalimprovements over conventional port access systems. Conventional portaccess systems involve insertion of a non-coring needle or huber needlethat is inserted into a patient and the wings are taped down forinfusion of fluids. Because removal of a needle involves a manualprocess, a patient or a health care worker may be inadvertently harmedby the needle. One aspect of the invention is that the needle is coupledto a moveable member that inserts the needle into the body of thepatient and also is able to remove the needle from the patient. Thisprocess occurs within the housing of the port access system. This devicegenerally prevents the healthcare worker or the patient from beingpunctured by a used needle. The following detailed description andaccompanying drawings are provided for the purpose of describing andillustrating presently preferred embodiments of the invention only andare not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0022]FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate port access system 100 in itsdeactivated state and its activated state. FIG. 1 illustrates a portaccess system 100 in a deactivated state in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Port access system 100 includes housing 110in which moveable first member 122, moveable second member 130, andthird moveable member 102 are located and are connected to housing 110using conventional means such as securing the moveable members tohousing 110 using a strong adhesive, screws, or other suitable means.Alternatively, housing 110 may be configured such that the secondmoveable member 130, for example, may have sides configured such thatthe sides of second moveable member 130 slide into a receiving side ofhousing 110.

[0023]FIG. 1 shows housing 110 adapted to receive a moveable firstmember and a moveable second member 130. Housing 110 has a diameterapproximately in the range of ¼ to ¾ inches. Housing 110 provides asecure location for an access needle. Housing 110 is placed on thepatient's chest such that housing 110 surrounds the site in which firstmember 122 such as a coring or huber needle is used to pierce thepatient's skin.

[0024] Housing 110 has wings 160 formed at one end of housing 110.Adhesive may be deposited or placed at the bottom surface of wings 160which is the surface that is generally opposed to the patient's body.Adhesives such as an acrylic adhesive may be applied to the bottom of apad made of closed cell foam attached to the underside of the device forpatient comfort. Examples of such adhesives are found in Band-Aid™ orBioclusive™. The bottom surface of wings 160 is placed onto thepatient's skin thereby supporting the port access system 100 against thepatient's body. Housing 110 is coupled to port 120. Inlet 155 of port120 connected to housing 110 allows fluids to flow in through tube 150and exit outlet of non-coring needle 157. Port 120 opens to afunnel-like body 125. Port 120 also communicates with tube 150.

[0025] Moveable second member 130 has a top surface that is located atfirst position Y₁. A lever 190, located at the top surface of housing110, moves, rotates, or pivots about point 195. When lever 190 pivotsfrom the first position Y₁, to second position Y₂, a trigger member (notshown) is connected to spring 140, and to moveable second member 130.Spring 140 compresses using conventional techniques allowing the distaltip of first member to pierce the skin of a patient as illustrated inFIG. 2. Trigger member includes any device capable of causing moveablesecond member 130 to advance from a first position to a second position.

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates the port access system 100 after lever 190 hasbeen rotated from a first position Y₂, to a second position Y₁₂. The topsurface of moveable second member 130 has moved from position Y₁ toposition Y₂. The bottom surface of moveable second member 130 contactsor is close to the skin of the patient. Port access system 100 is nowready for infusion of fluids into a patient. Lever 190 is locatedadjacent to port 120. Port 120 is configured to receive an intravenousline (“IV”). The IV is inserted through aperture 210. It will beappreciated that port 120 can have a variety of shapes in order toreceive a variety of various shaped IVs. For example, port 120 may havea shape that is substantially rectangular, circular, a triangle or anyother suitable shape.

[0027] In one embodiment, the moveable second member 130 may move fromits deactivated state to its activated state by using a moveable thirdmember 102. A slot (not shown) exists between moveable third member 102and moveable second member 130 allowing the coupling member (not shown)between the second and moveable third members (130, 102) to easily movewithin the slot (not shown). Moveable third member 102, coupled tomoveable second member 130, moves from its position shown in FIG. 3 toits position in FIG. 4 using conventional means such as a lever, triggerbutton, or any other suitable means. A first spring may optionally beused to cause third member 102 to move faster in the horizontaldirection. As moveable second and third member (130, 102) moves in adownward direction, second and third springs (104, 106) are energized.Third moveable member 107 snaps into place at locking member 109.Moveable second member 130 advances until the bottom surface of moveablesecond member 130 contacts or is close to the skin of the patient asshown in FIG. 2.

[0028] The needle is activated by pressing down on the moveable secondmember 130 which then allows infusion of the needle with a channel builtinto the device that connects to a hub or female leur and infusion maybegin. When therapy is completed, the moveable first member isdeactivated and returns to its original protective housing. The moveablefirst member may be deactivated using a variety of methods such asreturning lever 190 to its first position Y₁ which causes third moveablemember 102 to move up by spring 106 returning to a relaxed position. Theport access system device is then removed and discarded in accordancewith applicable environmental regulations.

[0029] In order for moveable second and third member to return to theiroriginal position, locking member 109 is released by a trigger button, alatch that is mechanically disengaged, or other suitable means oncetreatment is completed. Springs (104, 106) relax causing the moveablesecond and third member (130, 102) to advance vertically back to itsoriginal position.

[0030]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment for moving secondand third members ((130, 102). FIG. 5 illustrates a shortened thirdmember 103 in a deactivated state. Third member 103 is adjacent to thetop inner portion 105 of housing 110. Springs (107, 106) are relaxed.When second moveable member 130 is moved by hand or other suitable meansin a downward direction, moveable first member 122 pierces the skin ofthe patient as illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 also illustrates the top ofthird moveable member resting against top inner portion 105 of housing110. Springs (106, 107) are energized causing the bottom portion ofmoveable third member 103 to move away from the inner portion of housing110.

[0031] Second moveable member 130 returns to its deactivated positionwhen the top portion of third moveable member 103 is pushed or pulledtoward the center of housing 110 causing spring 107 to return to itsenergized position. Spring 106 returns to its relaxed position andpushes moveable second member 130 back to its deactivated position.

[0032] It will be further appreciated that there are numerous ways inwhich to cause moveable second member 130 to move. For example, moveablesecond member 130 may be moved from a first position to a secondposition by a person simply contacting with his or her hand the topsurface of moveable member 130. Alternatively, the moveable member 130may be coupled to a device that allows a person to activate it bycontacting an activation button (not shown). The activation button maybe a button coupled to a moveable second member 130 that causes themoveable first member 122 to move from its first position in adeactivated state to its second position activated state usingconventional means.

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates a top view 300 of port 120 of funnel-like body125. Protruding members 320 allow for attachment by a device used toplace fluids into a body of a patient. This allows the funnel-like bodyto be securely in place while an IV is inserted through port 120 andliquids are placed into the IV that is inserted into the patient.Aperture 310 allows IV to lock into place. Upon the IV locking intoplace, a clicking noise may be heard.

[0034]FIG. 8 illustrates a port access system 400 that includes housing410 which has a bottom surface that contacts the skin of the patient.Housing 410 has a lever 490 that may be moved from position Y₃ to X₁ inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. This results inmoveable member 430 to drop to position Y₄ such that the bottom surface440 comes close to the skin of the patient. A substantially circularopening 420, which receives fluids, transitions to funnel-like body 425that receives the fluid(s) that enter port 420. Inlet 455 of funnel-likebody 425 allows fluids to flow in through tube portion 450 and then intothe shaft of the needle after the needle has been inserted into thepatient's body. In this embodiment, tube portion 450 and the shaft ofthe needle are in a substantially straight alignment in contrast to theangled alignment shown in FIGS. 1-2.

[0035] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another embodiment of port access system500 that includes housing 510 which provides a secure location forneedle 525. In this embodiment, syringe 550 is attached to needle 525.Needle 525 is secured to moveable member 530. Compression member 540 iscoupled to plunger 547 of syringe 550. FIG. 9 illustrates moveablemember 530 is in a deactivated state in position Y₅ in which the topsurface of moveable member 530 is located at position Y₅.

[0036]FIG. 10 illustrates that moveable member 530 has moved from afirst position Y₅ to position Y₆ using conventional means. As a result,needle 525 has punctured the skin and entered a blood vessel or tissueof the patient. FIG. 11 illustrates the same device as in FIG. 10 exceptthe plunger 547 has been depressed using conventional means such aspushing directly on compression member 540 or alternatively, compressionmember 540 is automatically pushed down once activation button 580 isdepressed. Port access system 500 is then removed and disposed of inaccordance with environmental regulations.

[0037] In the preceding detailed description, the invention is describedwith reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining aport; a first moveable member to communicate with the port; a secondmoveable member coupled to the first moveable member, the secondmoveable member to move between a retracted position and an extendedposition; and a spring coupled to the housing and the second moveablemember to bias the second moveable member to the retracted position. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first moveable member is a needle.3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first triggermechanism coupled to the housing to release the second moveable memberfrom the extended position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinactivation of the trigger mechanism causes a noise to be emitted.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a wing coupled to the housingincluding an adhesive on the bottom surface of the wing.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second moveable member to define acommunication channel to allow fluid communication between the firstmoveable member and the port in a first position and to prohibit fluidcommunication in a second position.
 7. An apparatus comprising: ahousing defining a port to receive a needle; a moveable member coupledto the housing and biased to a retracted position, the moveable memberincluding a needle; a retention mechanism to secure the moveable memberin an extended position; and a release mechanism to release the moveablemember from the retention mechanism to allow the moveable member toreturn to a retracted position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: a trigger mechanism coupled to the housing to activate therelease mechanism.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the moveablemember is biased to the retracted position by a spring coupled to thehousing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a wingcoupled to the housing, the wing having an adhesive on the lower surfaceto attach the housing to a surface.
 11. The apparatus of a claim 7,wherein the needle is removably coupled to the moveable member.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the port is configured to lock anintravenous line into place.